Jammu Kashmir has declared all its 6650 villages across 285 blocks in 20 Districts as ODF Plus Models during the ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ Campaign.
This milestone signifies a commitment to managing greywater and solid waste alongside promoting sanitation, surpassing the mere construction of toilets.
The journey to achieve ODF Plus Model status involved planning and collaboration among stakeholders. Village Sanitation Saturation Plans (VSSP) were developed for each village, ensuring the necessary infrastructure for solid and liquid waste management (SLWM). Greywater management was addressed through the construction of individual and community soak pits, benefiting 4,83,404 households.
Biodegradable waste was managed through compost pits, with 1,77,442 individuals and 12,621 community compost pits established under government initiatives and MGNREGA.
Efforts also extended to waste collection and segregation, with 6509 collection and segregation sheds erected.
The construction of 5523 Community Sanitary Complexes and 17,46,619 Individual Household toilets further contributed to the progress in J&K.
The GOBARdhan initiative, focusing on converting animal dung and kitchen waste into biogas and bio-slurry, has yielded positive results with 20 projects either functional or nearing completion. Door-to-door waste collection has been initiated, involving local communities, youth clubs, NGOs, and expert agencies. User charges are being collected to ensure sustainability and generate revenue for panchayats from waste disposal.
To address plastic waste, Plastic Waste Management Units (PWMU) are being established in each block. These units will clean, shred, and bail plastic waste for proper disposal, completing the waste management cycle.